Table of Contents

I Avatars in Hinduism.
1. Introduction
2. Avatars in the Great Epic
3. Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita
4. Philosophical Comments on Avatar Doctrine.
5. Avatar in Rama
6. Growth of the Krishna Cult
7. Similarity and Opposition
8. Modern Indian Thought and Christianity
9. Analysis of Avatar Doctrines.

II Buddhas, Jinas and Sufis
10. Incarnation of the Buddha
11. Buddhas and Avatars
12. Developing Buddhology
13.Jinas and Avatars
14. Incarnation in Islam

III. Christian and Other Beliefs
15. Incarnation and Avatars
16. Theophany: Differences between Krishna and Christ
17. Docetism, in Buddhology and Christology
18. Adoptionism: Christ and Muhammad
19. Recent Interpretations

Bibliography of Texts
Bibliography of Modern Writings
Index.

About the Author

Geoffrey Parrinder was Emeritus Professor of the Comparative Study of Religions at Kings College London. He died in 2005 after having become one of the foremost in his field. During his long and successful life, his books were widely published, having been translated into twelve languages.

Reviews

"Dr Parrinder is a distinguished contributor to what literature there is on the subject… He provides a much-needed critical survey of a difficult and complex area."
*The Times Literary Supplement*